Smart card for passport, electronic passport, and method, system, and apparatus for authenticating person holding smart card or electronic passport

ABSTRACT

A smart card authenticates a cardholder. The smart card includes a substrate, a sensor module, a wireless transceiver module, and a power circuit. The sensor module includes (a) a biometric sensor adapted to detect biometric information from a person&#39;s body, (b) a processor unit adapted to authenticate the person in response to the detected biometric information and generate an authentication signal representing an authentication result, and (c) a memory adapted to store biometric information of a specific individual associated with the smart card. The wireless transceiver module transmits signals received from the processor unit and receives a wirelessly-transmitted power signal. The power circuit generates at least one supply voltage from the received power signal and provides the supply voltage to the sensor module. An electronic passport is embedded with the smart card, and a terminal module is used for wirelessly transmitting power to and receiving signals from the electronic passport.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/659,834 entitled “Secure Biometric Verification of Identity,”filed Sep. 10, 2003 in the name of Tamio Saito, Wayne Drizin and TakashiAida, which is puplished Jul. 8, 2004 as U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2004/0129787, and which claims the benefit of priorityfrom Provisional Applications 60/409,716, filed Sep. 10, 2002;60/409,715, filed Sep. 10, 2002; 60/429,919, filed Nov. 27, 2002;60/433,254, filed Dec. 13, 2002 and 60/484,692 filed Jul. 3, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to smart cards and electronic passports.More particularly, the present invention relates to smart cards andelectronic passports including a biometric sensor, and method, system,and apparatus for authenticating a person holding the smart card or theelectronic passport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smart cards, which are also referred to as integrated circuit (IC)cards, typically include a microprocessor and memory on their plasticbody, and are capable of data processing required for the specificpurpose of the cards. The conventional smart cards are typically“credit-card” sized, and ranging from simple memory-type smart cardsstoring user identification information to high-end smart cards with asophisticated computational capacity. Typically, a card reader is usedto read the stored information associated with the cardholder, such as auser name, account number, personal identification number (PIN),password, and the like. The card reader may be contact type orcontactless type. The authentication process is typically performedafter the necessary information is read from the smart card to the cardreader, using the card reader or other authentication devicecommunicating with the card reader, such as a local or remoteauthentication sever.

However, such smart cards can be stolen or counterfeited, and theauthentication/verification system on which the smart cards areoperating can be hacked, and the conventional smart card system is stillvulnerable to identity theft and fraud. The ever increasing terroristthreat as well as the explosive rise in the crime of identity theftcalls for more robust and protected security systems to authenticate andverify identity of individuals using or holding smart cards. Inaddition, it is desirable to protect the privacy of the personalinformation associated with the smart card while providing such atamper-proof security system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A smart card authenticates a cardholder. The smart card includes asubstrate, a sensor module, a wireless transceiver module, and a powercircuit. The sensor module includes (a) a biometric sensor adapted todetect biometric information from a person's body, (b) a processor unitadapted to authenticate the person in response to the detected biometricinformation and generate an authentication signal representing anauthentication result, and (c) a memory adapted to store biometricinformation of a specific individual associated with the smart card. Thewireless transceiver module transmits signals received from theprocessor unit and receives a wirelessly-transmitted power signal. Thepower circuit generates at least one supply voltage from the receivedpower signal and provides the supply voltage to the sensor module. Anelectronic passport is embedded with the smart card, and a terminalmodule is used for wirelessly transmitting power to and receivingsignals from the electronic passport or the smart card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of thepresent invention and, together with the detailed description, serve toexplain the principles and implementations of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a smartcard for authenticating a person holding the smart card in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of thesmart card in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram schematically illustrating a powercircuit in the smart card in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an electrical block diagram schematically illustrating anexample of the power circuit in the smart card in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an electrical diagram schematically illustrating an example ofthe implementation of a power portion of the smart card in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram schematically illustrating an exampleof authentication process performed in the processor unit with afingerprint sensor.

FIG. 7 is an electrical block diagram schematically illustrating anexample of the sensor/processor portion of the smart card in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating another example ofimplementation of the processor unit of the smart card having anencryption/decryption scheme.

FIG. 9A is a bock diagram schematically illustrating another example ofimplementation of the processor unit of the smart card in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a bock diagram schematically illustrating yet another exampleof implementation of the processor unit of the smart card in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a smart card inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating an electronic passportincluding a smart card in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of asmart card embedded in the passport shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating an electronic passportin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, whichincludes a biometric sensor and a display.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of theelectronic passport including a fingerprint sensor and a display andbeing authenticating a person.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrams schematically illustrating an example of anelectronic passport in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, which includes an integrated sensor/display.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating a terminal module forauthenticating a person holding a smart card or an electronic passportincluding a smart card, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of theterminal module in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating asystem for authenticating a person holding a smart card or electronicpassport in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a process flow diagram schematically illustrating a methodfor authenticating a person holding a smart card, or an electronicpassport embedded with the smart card, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described herein in the contextof a smart card for passport, an electronic passport, and a method,system, and apparatus for authenticating a person holding a smart cardor electronic passport. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realizethat the following detailed description of the present invention isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otherembodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves tosuch skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Referencewill now be made in detail to implementations of the present inventionas illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same referenceindicators will be used throughout the drawings and the followingdetailed description to refer to the same or like parts.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application- and business-related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, thecomponents, process steps, and/or data structures may be implementedusing various types of operating systems (OS), computing platforms,firmware, computer programs, computer languages, and/or general-purposemachines. The method can be implemented as a programmed process runningon processing circuitry. The processing circuitry can take the form ofnumerous combinations of processors and operating systems, or astand-alone device. The process can be implemented as instructionsexecuted by such hardware, hardware alone, or any combination thereof.The software may be stored on a program storage device readable by amachine.

In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatdevices of a less general purpose nature, such as hardwired devices,field programmable logic devices (FPLDs), including field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs) and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs),application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like, may alsobe used without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a smart card 10 for authenticating aperson holding the smart card in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the smart card 20 includes asubstrate 12, a sensor module 14, a power circuit 16, and a wirelesstransceiver module 18. The sensor module 14, the power circuit 16, andthe wireless transceiver module 18 are provided on the substrate 12. Thesensor module 14 detects biometric information from the person's body,performs authentication for the person based on the detected biometricinformation, and generates an authentication signal indicating theresult of the authentication, for example, positive (successfullyauthenticated) or negative (authentication failed). The power circuit 16is coupled to the wireless transceiver module 18, and adapted togenerate at least one supply voltage from a power signal received by thewireless transceiver module 18. The supply voltage is provided to thesensor module 14.

The wireless transceiver module 18 is coupled to the sensor module 14and the power module 16. The wireless transceiver module 18 is adaptedto transmit signals received from the sensor module 14, including theauthentication signal, and also adapted to receive awirelessly-transmitted power signal. The wireless transceiver module 18is capable of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves. However,the wireless transceiver module 18 may also be implemented such that itis capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, opticalwaves, infrared waves, and the like.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a smart card 20 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a power antenna22, a signal antenna 24, a power circuit 26, and a sensor module 28 areprovided on a substrate 21. The power antenna 22 is coupled to the powercircuit 26, and the signal antenna 24 is coupled to the sensor module28. In this example, the wireless transceiver module (shown in FIG. 1)is formed of the power antenna 22 and the signal antenna 24. The powerantenna 22 and the signal antenna 24 can be the same antenna, but inthis example, the signal antenna 24 is provided as a separate andindependent antenna. The power antenna 22 receives the wirelesslytransmitted power signal, and the power circuit 26 generates at leastone supply voltage 27 from the received power signal, which is providedto the sensor module 28. The signal antenna 24 transmits signalsreceived from the sensor module 28. In accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention, the signal antenna 24 is substantially smallerthan the power antenna 22. Thus, the signals transmitted from the signalantenna 24 have a substantially shorter range of transmission such thatthe signals are only received in a proximity of the smart card,preventing unauthorized receipt or intercept of the signals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor module 28 includes a biometric sensor 30,a processor unit 32, and a memory 34. In addition, the sensor module 28may further include an indicator 36 indicating the authenticationresult, and a control interface 38 which provides an external access tothe processor unit 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the processor unit 32 iscoupled to the biometric sensor 34 and the memory 34, and to theoptional indicator 36 and the control interface 38. The processor unit32 is adapted to authenticate a person holding the smart card inresponse to the biometric information detected by the biometric sensor30, and generate an authentication signal representing the result of theauthentication. The memory 34 is typically a non-volatile memory, andadapted to store the biometric information of a specific individualassociated with the smart card. It should be noted that although thememory 34 is depicted in the drawings external to the processor unit 32,it may be integrated within the processor unit 32. The processor unit 32also includes a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM) toperform authentication, execute instructions and/or process data. Inaddition, the processor unit 32 may encrypt signals before theirwirelessly transmission.

FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically illustrate examples of the power antenna 22and the power circuit 26 portion of the smart card in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the powercircuit 26 includes a rectifier 40 coupled to the power antenna 22, anda regulator 42 coupled to the rectifier 40. In this example, theregulator 42 generates two supply voltages V1 and V2, for example, 3.3 Vand 1.8 V. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,as shown in FIG. 4, the wireless transceiver module may include aplurality of power antennas 44 (44 a, 44 b, . . . 44 n), and the powercircuit includes a corresponding plurality of regulator circuits 46 (46a, 46 b, . . . , 46 n) and a regulator 42. Since each set of the powerantenna 44 and the rectifier 46 functions as a current source, thesesets can be combined in parallel to form a larger current source to beregulated by the regulator 42.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of the implementation of apower portion 52 including three power antennas 44 (44 a, 44 b, 44 c),corresponding rectifiers 46 (46 a, 46 b, 46 c), and a regulator 42, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 5, each of the rectifiers 46 may have a different structure. Forexample, the rectifier 46 may be a double voltage rectifier, or mayinclude a Schottky diode. Similarly, the regulator 42 may be a dropperregulator, a switching regulator, or a fly back regulator. The regulator42 may have sub-parts 42 a and 42 b, each corresponding to a differentsupply voltage. For examples, the first part 42 a provides a supplyvoltage of 3.3V, and the second part 42 b provides a supply voltage of1.8V. The number and levels of the supply voltages are not limited totwo, but desired number and levels of the supply voltages may beprovided depending on a specific application.

In addition, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,each of the plurality of power antennas 44 may have a turn number lessthan five (5). Preferably, each of the power antennas 44 has equal to orless than two (2) turns. Antennas with a lower turn number have a lowerself inductance, allowing a higher current supply and a faster currentramp up (i.e., higher frequency response). Each of the plurality ofpower antennas 44 may also have approximately the same length. Inaddition, the power antennas may be arranged such that the inside areaof the antenna coil or loop (i.e., the cross section of the magneticfield generated by the power antennas 44) is maximized. For example, thepower antennas are placed along the edges of the smart card. Theconnection points of the power antennas may be located closely to eachother. Each of the power antennas 44 may be formed as an etched orprinted pattern on a plastic or paper material. Each of the powerantennas 44 may have a width equal to or greater than 2 mm.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention, the biometric sensor 30 may be a fingerprint sensoradapted to detect fingerprint patterns. The fingerprint sensor can be ofany type, but it is preferable to use sensors which can reliably detectfingerprint patterns even if being touched by a wet or dirty finger. Inaddition, it is preferable to use a finger print sensor which can readthe surface profile of a finger, i.e., the shape and distribution ofvalleys or mountains of the fingerprint patterns. For example, such afingerprint sensor may include a pressure sensor cell array or scanner,a micro electro mechanical (MEM) array or scanner, a mechanical stressarray or scanner, a distance measuring cell array or scanner, a microswitch array or scanner, an elasticity measuring array or scanner, andthe like, which mechanically detect the finger skin profile. However, afingerprint sensor using a capacitance measuring call array is notpreferable, since the capacitance between the finger and the cell arraycan vary depending on the condition of the finger, such as moisture. Inaddition, the fingerprint sensor may also measures a temperature profileof finger skins, for example, using an infrared detector array orscanner.

Furthermore, since the smart card and/or the passport are to be flexiblein certain applications, a fingerprint sensor thereon are alsopreferably flexible. In such an application, the fingerprint sensor maybe made using a polymer material as its insulator or substrate, or theboth, for example, polyimide, polyethylene terepthalate (PET),Polypropylene (PPT), Polycarbonate, Butadiene, Epoxy, Nylon, Teflon®(polymers of tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polymers of fluorinatedethylene-propylene (FEP)), and the like. However, it is not limited tothe polymer material, but a thinned silicon wafer or substrate may alsobe used, where the wafer may be made of crystalline, polycrystalline, oramorphous silicon. For example, the thickness of the thinned siliconwafer or substrate is preferably less than 200 micron, and morepreferably, less than 100 micron. The thinned silicon substrate isadapted to detect and digitize fingerprint patterns, by measuringcapacitance, resistance, and the like. The thinning process may includedchemical etching or gas-plasma etching. In addition, the thinned siliconwaver may be backed up with a mechanical stiffener such as hard polymer,glass epoxy, copper clad glass epoxy, BT resin, copper clad BT resin,stainless steal clad or sheet, aluminum clad, or anodized aluminum clador sheet, or the like. It should be noted that surface profile sensorand flexibility may not always be satisfied at the same time.

Referring back to FIG. 2, fingerprint templates of a specific individualassociated with the smart card are stored in the memory 34. Also, thebiometric sensor 30 may be an image sensor such as a charge coupleddevice (CCD) or metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) adapted to capture animage of the person. For example, such an image to be captured may be aface, an ear, an iris, and/or a retina of the person. However, the imageis not limited to these examples, but any image of the person which canbe captured as specific patterns uniquely characterizing the person maybe used. In addition, the biometric sensor 30 may be a geneticinformation detector adapted to detect genetic information orcharacteristics of the person, including DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes,blood cells, and the like. In any case, the corresponding biometricinformation templates (predetermined biometric patterns specifying oridentifying the person) are stored in the memory 34. In accordance withone embodiment of the present invention, the biometric sensor 30 islocated near an edge of the smart card. This arrangement may make iteasy to place other desired or necessary items or data on the face ofthe smart card.

As described above, the processor unit 32 performs authentication of theperson by comparing the detected biometric information with the storedbiometric information, and determines if the person holding the smartcard is the same person as the specific individual associated with thesmart card. The processor unit 32 may also include an encryption circuit(not shown in FIG. 2) adapted to encrypt signals generated in theprocessor unit 32 before transmitting.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of authentication processperformed in the processor unit 32 in which fingerprints are used as thebiometric information. First, fingerprint patterns of a person to beauthenticated (who is holding the smart card) is captured by thefingerprint sensor (600). Then, specific characteristics to be used inthe comparison are extracted from the captured finger print patterns(602). For example, minutiae, space frequency (density), and/or vectorof the fingerprint patterns are extracted. These characteristics may beused alone or in combination. The extracted characteristics are comparedwith the corresponding templates stored in the memory (604). If theextracted characteristics are determined to match the templates, theauthentication result is positive, i.e., the person is successfullyauthenticated. If the extracted characteristics are determined tomismatch the templates, the authentication result is negative, i.e., theperson fails the authentication. An authentication signal representingthe result is generated (606), encrypted (608), and then transmitted(610) via the signal antenna.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor module 28 may further include theindicator 36 coupled to the processor unit 32. The authentication signalmay also supplied to the indicator 36, which indicates theauthentication result. In accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, the indicator 36 may include at least one light emittingdiode (LED). For example, the indicator 36 has two LEDs with differentcolors, such as red and green, and if the person is successfullyauthenticated, the green LED may be illuminated, and if the person failsthe authentication, the red LED. In addition, by using the LEDs incombination and/or using a different illumination mode such as blinkingintervals, more information can be indicated than the simple pass/failresults corresponding to the number of the LEDs.

Since a fingerprint sensor captures two-dimensional patterns from athree-dimensional surface of a finger, the detected pattern might bedeformed to yield a false result although the person is a rightful ownerof the smart card. Thus, by visually indicating the current status orresult of the authentication, the rightful owner can adjust his/herfinger pressed on the sensor such that the fingerprint patterns arecorrectly detected. On the other hand, the indication of unsuccessfulauthentication would dissuade an illegitimate holder of the smart card.

The indicator 36 is not limited to LEDs. In accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention, the indicator 36 may be a liquidcrystal display (LCD) adapted to display the authentication result, suchas “success”, “authenticated”, “error”, “contact authority”, and othersuitable messages. The LCD may also display some icons or symbols. Theindicator may also be a sound player adapted to play an audio signalcorresponding to the authentication result. For example, the audiosignal has a different frequency, different voice message, or differentmelody depending on the authentication result.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor module 28 may further include the controlinterface 38 coupled to the processor unit 32, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The control interface 32 is adaptedto receive an external control signal so as to configure the processorunit 32. Typically, the control interface 32 is used in the initialconfiguration of the smart card when it is issued to a specificindividual. For example, the external control signal may be used toconfigure the hardware and/or software of the processor unit 32, uploada program onto the processor unit 32 and/or the memory 34, upload andstore the biometric information templates of the specific individual inthe memory 34, and the like. An encryption key and other data for theencryption system in the processor unit 32 may also be selected and/orconfigured using the external control signal during the initialconfiguration process.

In addition, additional personal information of the specific individual,such as personal identification information and other personalinformation related to the user and/or purpose of the smart card may bestored in the memory 34. For example, such personal identificationinformation includes the name, user name, password, personalidentification number (PIN), date of birth, place of birth, driver'slicense number, and the like. A photographic image of the person mayalso be stored. In addition, other related information, for example, theissue date of the smart card, the expiration date of the smart card,contact information of the specific individual, and the like, can bestored, If the smart cared is used for a passport, for example, thehistory of travel or port entries, visa status, and the like may alsostored.

The external connections to the control interface 38 may be disabledafter configuring the processor unit 32 and storing the desiredinformation in the memory 34. For example, the external access to thecontrol interface 38 may be physically disconnected. Such physicaldisconnection may be permanent. Such a disconnection is preferable toprevent unauthorized access and alteration of the configuration andstored data. However, if update of the stored information is necessaryor desirable, the external connection to the control interface 38 may beenabled only if the person is successfully authenticated.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of the sensor/processorportion in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Inthis example, the processor unit includes an authentication circuit 56and a dual mode interface circuit 58. The authentication circuit 56 maybe implemented in a central processor unit (CPU) with hardware orsoftware, or any combination of hardware and software. That is, theauthentication circuit may be realized using a general purpose CPU withspecific software, an ASIC, a field programmable logic device (FPLD), orthe like. The authentication CPU 56 may include a memory 60 therein andperform the above-described authentication process so as to generate theauthentication signal. The biometric information of the specificindividual associated with the smart card, and optional personalinformation of the specific individual is stored in the memory 60. Thememory 60 may be external to the authentication CPU 56. The memory 60may be a combination of a random access memory (RAM) such as static RAM(SRAM) or dynamic RAM (DRAM), and a programmable read-only memory(PROM), such as an erasable and programmable read-only memory (EPROM),an electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), aflash memory (or flash PROM), and the like. The RAM is used to cash thedata for a software program, program code, program instructions, and thelike. The PROM is used to store the authentication program and otherapplication programs, an encryption application and related data andfiles, such as encryption key, and the above-mentioned biometricinformation and personal information of a specific individual. Since thesoftware programs and information stored in the PROM should not bealtered or tampered, the PROM should be one-time programmable orwritable. In the case of an EEPROM or flash memory, its rewritablefunctionality may be disabled, for example, by fusing wires or fusingdrivers.

Referring back to FIG. 7, the authorization signal is sent to the dualmode interface circuit 58 via a communication bus (wire) 62. The dualmode interface circuit 58 converts the authentication signal receivedfrom authentication CPU 56 into a transmission signal suitable forwireless transmission via a signal antenna 64. That is, the dual modeinterface circuit 58 is capable of both of the wired and wirelesscommunications. Typically, however, when the wired communication isenabled on one side, the wireless communication on the other side isdisabled, and vise versa. The signal antenna 64 is preferably madesubstantially smaller than the power antenna.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the systemmay be compatible with the International Organization forStandardization (ISO) standards. For example, the communication bus 62may be compatible with ISO 7816, and the dual mode interface circuit 58may be an ISO dual mode interface chip which is compatible with ISO 7816(for the wired communication) and ISO 14443 (for the wirelesscommunication). However, other ISO standards may be used depending onthe application.

FIG. 7 also schematically illustrates the biometric sensor 66, thecontrol interface 70, and an indicator (LEDs in this example) 68. Thecontrol interface 70 may be implemented using an interface complying theJoint Test Action Group (JTAG) standards, which typically provides testaccess port architecture. As shown in FIG. 7, the smart card may alsoinclude an oscillation circuit 72 adapted to generate a clock signal forthe system on the substrate. The clock signal (CLK) is supplied directlyor indirectly to all elements to operate in accordance with the clocksignal, although such clock signal inputs are not depicted in FIG. 7 forsimplicity. Alternatively, a clock signal may be generated from thepower signal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.In this case, the smart card includes a clock antenna adapted to receivethe power signal, and a clock circuit coupled to the clock antenna whichgenerates the clock signal from the received power signal. For example,if the wireless transmission of the power also complies with the ISO14443, it would have 13.56 MHz oscillation, which may be used togenerate the clock signal.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates another example of implementation ofthe processor unit, in which an encryption/decryption scheme isprovided. The authentication CPU 56 includes an encryption circuit 72and encrypts the authentication signal before sending to the dual modeinterface circuit 58. Similarly, the dual interface circuit 58 includesa decryption circuit 74 to decrypt the encrypted signal received fromthe authentication CPU 56. The dual mode interface circuit 58 alsoincludes an encryption circuit 76 adapted to encrypt the transmissionsignal before wirelessly transmitted via the signal antenna 64.

FIG. 9A schematically illustrates another example of implementation ofthe processor unit in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. In this example, the processor unit includes a simplerread/write CPU 78 and a dual mode CPU 80 which is capable of performingthe full authentication process as well as wireless transmission withencryption. As shown in FIG. 9A, the read/write CPU 78 may include anencryption circuit 92. The read/write CPU 78 encrypts and sends thebiometric information detected by the biometric sensor 66 to the dualmode CPU 80. The dual mode CPU 80 includes an authentication circuit 84and a memory 90. The authentication circuit 84 may be implemented bysoftware, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Thememory 90 is adapted to store the biometric information templates of aspecific individual. The dual mode CPU 80 also includes a decryptioncircuit 86 to decrypt the encrypted signal (detected biometricinformation) received from the read/write CPU 78. The dual mode CPU 80compares the detected biometric information with the templates store inthe memory 90, and generates an authentication signal representing theauthentication result. The dual mode CPU 80 encrypts the authenticationsignal using an encryption circuit 88 before wirelessly transmitting thesignal via the signal antenna 64.

FIG. 9B schematically illustrates yet another example of implementationof the processor unit in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. In this example, the processor unit includes a sensor CPU 79and a dual mode CPU 81. In this example, the sensor CPU 79 includes aextraction circuit 83 which may be software, hardware, or a combinationthereof, and performs characteristics extraction from the biometricinformation detected by the biometric sensor 66. The extractedcharacteristics, such as minutiae, space frequency (density), and/orvector of the fingerprint patterns, are preferably encrypted and sent tothe dual mode CPU 81. The dual mode CPU 80 includes amating/authentication circuit 85, an encryption circuit 86, a decryptioncircuit 88, and a memory 90. The dual mode CPU 81 performs comparison ofthe extracted characteristics and the stored biometric informationtemplates (matching with the corresponding reference characteristics),and determine if the person succeed or fail the authentication. Thematching/authentication circuit 85 may be implemented by software,hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, thematching/authentication circuit 85 may be implemented as an applicationprogram written in an object oriented programming language, such as aJAVA™ applet running on the JCOP smart card operating system, availablefrom International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.

As described above, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, the additional personal information may be store in thememory 34, 60, or 90. Such additional information can be read andtransmitted when the person holding the smart cared is successfullyauthenticated. For example, the processor unit 32, the authenticationCPU 56, or the dual mode CPU 80 may further include a retrieval circuitadapted to retrieve the stored additional personal information from thememory if the detected biometric information is determined to match thestored biometric information. In this case, the processor unit 32, theauthentication CPU 56, or the dual mode CPU 80 further generates apersonal information signal representing the personal information of thespecific individual. The personal information signal is being encryptedand transmitted via the signal antenna in the similar manner as theauthentication signal described above.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a smart card 100 in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the smartcard 100 includes a substrate 102, a wireless transmission module havinga power antenna 104 and a signal antenna 106, a power circuit 108, aclock circuit 110, and a sensor module 112. The sensor module 112includes processor unit 114, a biometric sensor 116, a memory 118, anindicator 120, and a control circuit 122, similarly to other embodimentsdescribed above. These elements may be one of the corresponding elementsin the previous embodiments, and some elements may be optional asdescribed above. In this embodiment, the sensor module 112 furtherincludes a biosensor 124 adapted to detect that the person holding thesmart card is alive. For example, if the biometric sensor 116 is afingerprint sensor, an unauthorized person might use a replica of theperson's finger (or the body part cut from the body) to activate thesmart card or utilize information stored therein. Thus, it is alsoimportant to make sure that a body from which the biometric informationis to be detected is part of a live person for additional security.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, thebiosensor 124 may be one of, or any combination of, an oxygen detector,a carbon dioxide detector, a thermometer, a moisture sensor, an infraredsensor, a voice sensor, a brainwave sensor, an electrocardiogram sensor,an electromagnetic filed sensor, a Chi sensor, and the like. Inaddition, the biosensor 124 may also be an elasticity sensor adapted todetect elasticity of a member in contact therewith, or a blood flowsensor adapted to detect a blood flow in a body part in contacttherewith. These biosensors may also be used alone or combined with oneor more of the above described biosensors. Furthermore, the biosensor124 may include a bio-response detector adapted to capture a reflexresponse of the person to a given stimulus. For example, a reflexreaction such as a change in an iris aperture in response to lightintensity illuminated thereon can be used, and the biosensor 124 mayinclude an image sensor adapted to capture an image of the iris, and alight emitter adapted to illuminate an eye of the person. If thebiometric sensor 116 also includes an image sensor to capture the imageof the person for biometric authentication, the biometric sensor 116 andthe biosensor 124 may be integrated into one image sensor. For example,a static image may be processed for the pattern matching, and a motion(reaction) image responding to the stimulus may be processed for the“alive” test.

The processor unit 114 generates a positive authentication only if theperson is successfully authenticated and also determined to be alive.The authentication result and the alive-test result may be indicatedusing the indicator 120 in a similar manner as described above.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the smartcard 100 may further include a display 126, as shown in FIG. 10. Thedisplay 126 is coupled to the processor unit 114, and adapted to displaya photographic image including the specific individual's face if theperson is authenticated. For example, an application of the smart cardis desirable to have a photographic image of the holder of the smartcard, such a photographic image can be made available only if a personholding the smart card is successfully authenticated. This feature makecounterfeiting the smart card more difficult. The righteous holder'ssignature may also be displayed with the photographic image. Thephotographic image and the optional signature to be displayed may bestored in the memory 118.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, thebiometric sensor 116 and the display 126 may be integrated into oneelement. For example, the biometric sensor 116 may be substantiallytransparent and laid on the display 112. In addition, since the display126 is activated and display the image only if the holder of the smartcard is successfully authenticated (including passing the live test),the display 112 also functions as an indicator.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the smartcards described in the above embodiments are adapted to be embedded in apassport. FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an electronic passport 130including a smart card in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the smart card may beembedded in a front or back cover 131 of the passport 130 such that abiometric sensor 132 is visibly arranged on an inner side 134 of thefront or back cover 131 where the personal identification information ofthe passport holder and related data are typically placed. As shown inFIG. 11, an indicator 136 may also be visibly arranged on the inner side134 of the passport 130, especially if the indicator 136 visuallyindicates the authentication result, as described above. Preferably, thebiometric sensor 132 is placed near an edge of the inner side 134 of thepassport 130. Also preferably, the biometric sensor 132 and the optionalindicator 136 are placed on the inner side 134 such that the biometricsensor 132 and the optional indicator 136 do not interfere with thepassport holder's photograph 138 and other personal data 140 on theinner side 134.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates an example of a smart card 150embedded in the passport 130 shown in FIG. 11. Typically, the size ofthe smart card 150 is slightly smaller than that of the passport 130.Similarly to the embodiments described above, the smart card 150includes a wireless transmission module including a power antenna 152and a signal antenna 154, a power circuit 156, and a sensor moduleincluding the biometric sensor 132, the optional indicator 136, aprocessor unit having an authentication CPU 158 and a dual modeinterface circuit 160, and a control interface 162. The authenticationCPU 158 includes a memory (not shown) to store biometric informationtemplate and other personal data, as described above. The processor unitmay be integrated into one element, or the authentication process may beperformed by the dual mode CPU, as described above. In this example, thepower antenna 152 includes three independent antennas having a similarlength and arranged along the edges of the substrate 164 of the smartcard 150.

Preferably, the signal antenna 154 is substantially smaller than thepower antenna 152. For example, the signal antenna 154 (and signalantennas 24 and 64 in the above embodiments) is made small enough to beplaced right upon or very close to the loop and/or trace of a terminalmodule antenna 194 or 199 (see FIGS. 17 and 18) which receives thewireless signals transmitted from the signal antenna 154. That is, whenthe smart card (or the electronic passport) is placed on the terminalmodule 190, the signal antenna 154 is in the close vicinity of, orpreferably right on, the terminal module antenna 194 or 199 such thatsmall load changes in the signal antenna 154 can be detected by theterminal module antenna. In addition, since the load changes aresufficiently small such that only antennas or any receiver module in thevery close vicinity can detect the change, any third party cannotdetected the load change for the purpose of tapping. For example, thetransmitted signal can be detected at maximum 10 mm distance from thesignal antenna location. That is, even on the same passport surfacearea, or the terminal module surface area, the transmitted signal cannotalways be detected.

The control interface 162 is depicted as an external connection (leadbus) 166 is still enabled. This is typical when the electronic passport130 is first issued to a specific individual and the smart card 150embedded therein is under an initial configuration, in which necessaryand/or desirable data, information, and/or software such asauthentication program, encryption program, are uploaded and stored in amemory through the control interface 166. After such configuration anduploading, the external connection 166 may be cut off to disable accessto the control interface 162.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the smartcard 150 may be used as a card-type electronic passport without beingembedded in a conventional paper passport. Since all information relatedto the passport holder and usage of the passport, which are typicallyprinted or stamped on a conventional passport can be electronically ordigitally stored in a memory provided on the smart card, the smart carditself may be implemented as an electronic passport. In this case, anadditional surface layer may be provided on the substrate 164 so as toprotect antennas and other electronic circuits, and also to provide aspace to place visible information on the surface of the smart card. Inaddition, similarly to the passport 130, the biometric sensor and theoptional indicate can be visibly arranged on the surface layer. Thiscard-type electronic passport is also applicable to the followingembodiments. That is, the passport or electronic passport described inthe embodiments may be either a paper passport embedded with the smartcard, or paperless electronic passport implemented as a smart card.

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates an electronic passport 170 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in which abiometric sensor 172 is provided and also a conventional photographicface image of the passport holder is replaced with a display 174. Forexample, the smart card 100 (FIG. 10) described above or similar smartcard may be embedded in the passport 170. It should be noted thelocation of the display can be rearranged in the smart card 100 suchthat the display 126 is placed in a proper or desirable location, forexample, in the inner page of the front or back cover of the passport170. Alternatively, the passport 170 may be a card-type electronicpassport without paper pages, as described above.

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates an example of the electronic passport170 in which the biometric sensor 172 is a fingerprint sensor. As shownin FIG. 14, when a holder of the passport is successfully authenticatedwhen he or she places his/her finger on the fingerprint sensor 172, thedisplay 174 displays the passport holder's photographic image andoptionally his/her signature thereon. Such an imaged and optionalsignature may be displayed during a predetermined time period after thesuccessful authentication, or while the finger is in contact with thefingerprint sensor 172.

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates an example of an electronic passport180 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in whichthe fingerprint sensor and the display are integrated into asensor/display 182. When a holder of the passport 180 touches thesensor/display 182, as shown in FIG. 16, detected fingerprint patternsare used for the authentication process as described above, and if theperson is authenticated, the sensor/display displays the passportholder's face image and optionally his/her signature thereon. Thesensor/display 182 may display the image and optional signature during apredetermined time period after the successful authentication.

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates a terminal module 190 forauthenticating a person holding a smart card or an electronic passportincluding a smart card, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The smart card or electronic passport may be any of the smartcards or electronic passports described above. The terminal moduleincludes a support plate 192 and an antenna (terminal module antenna)194 provided thereon. The support plate 192 is adapted to receive thesmart card or electronic passport and has a size suitable to receive thesmart card or the passport. The antenna 194 is adapted to transmit apower to the smart card or electronic passport. The wirelesslytransmitted power is received by, for example, the wireless transceivermodule 18 of the smart card 10 (FIG. 1) placed on the terminal module190. The antenna 194 is also adapted to receive a signal transmittedfrom the wireless transceiver module of the smart card.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the terminalmodule 190 is designed to used with an electronic passport such as theelectronic passport 130 embedded with the smart card 150 as describedabove. If the electronic passport 130 includes the power antenna 152 andthe signal antenna 154, for example, the antenna 194 is adapted towirelessly transmit the power signal to be received by the power antenna152, and also to receive the wireless signal transmitted from the signalantenna 154. Preferably, the terminal module antenna 194 is provided onthe support plate 192 such that when the electronic passport (or smartcard) is placed on the support plate 192 the signal transmission antenna154 substantially aligns on the terminal module antenna 194. Typically,the terminal module antenna 194 is substantially larger than the signalantenna 154 of the electronic passport, the signal antenna 145 will beplaced on a portion 196 of the antenna 194, as shown in FIG. 17. Thesignal antenna 145 may be positioned just on the portion 196 or in avery close proximity thereof. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18, theterminal module 190 may include a power transmitting antenna 198 and asignal receiving antenna 199 separate from the power transmittingantenna 198. In this case, the signal receiving antenna 199 is placedsuch that the location matches that of the signal antenna 154 when theelectronic passport 130 is place on the terminal module 190.

As described above, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention, the biometric information detection and the authenticationprocess using the biometric information are performed on-board (on-card)by the smart card or the electronic passport. That is, theauthentication of a cardholder/passport holder is performed withoutexternally communicating the sensitive information such as fingerprintpatterns and personal information, and such sensitive information isconfined within the smart card or the electronic passport. In the casewhere the authentication result and related personal information iswirelessly transmitted, the transmission signal has a very short range,typically the order of millimeters, and thus is only received by theterminal module on which the smart card or electronic passport isproperly placed. Accordingly, the authentication process and personalinformation retrieval can be done locally, and the sensitive informationdoes not have to fly over the air or travel through the network systemsuch as the Internet. In addition, since the full authentication can beperformed locally (on-board), it is not affected by any accident orunavailability of access to an external network system or a centraldatabase.

However, under certain circumstances, it may be preferable tocommunicate the biometric information and/or personal information of anindividual with an external system beyond the terminal module. Forexample, in the airport, the authentication result may be monitored bythe airport security personnel, and the authentication result andnecessary personal information may be transmitted to a monitoringdevice/terminal within a local computer network. In addition, in somesuspicious cases, the biometric information such as fingerprints mayneed to be screened against that contained in a criminal record,terrorist list database, immigration records, and the like, which aretypically maintained in a government central database. For example, whenthe smart card or electronic passport might have been counterfeited, allof the information stored in the suspicious smart card or passport mayneed to be examined and compared against the corresponding informationof a legitimate individual as claimed to be. Thus, the terminal modulemay also have a capability of communicating with outside computer systemin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 19 schematically illustrates a system 300 for authenticating aperson holding a smart card or electronic passport in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 19, the system300 includes a smart card/electronic passport 302, and a terminal module304. The smart card/electronic passport may be any one of the smartcards or electronic passports described in the above embodiments. Theterminal module 304 includes a terminal module antenna 306, a decryptioncircuit 308, an encryption circuit 310, and an interface 312. Thedecryption circuit 308 is adapted to decrypt signals received from thesmart card/electronic passport 302, if the received signals areencrypted. The encryption circuit 312 encrypts signals transmitted fromthe terminal module 304. The interface 312 couples the terminal module304 to a computer system 314, typically a local computer network. Theinterface 213 may also couple the terminal module with a server 316having a central database 318. Such a connection to the server 316 mayuse the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), via avirtual circuit, a private line, or the like. Thus, the interface 202may be compatible with one of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard,Recommended Standard 232C (RS-232C), Recommended Standard 433 (RS-433),Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and the like.The computer system 314 or the server 316 receives the authenticationsignal and other personal information transmitted from the terminalmodule 304, and performs necessary data processing, screening,comparison with the central database, and the like. In addition, theauthentication result and/or personal information may be displayed tothe authorized personnel.

Since the electronic passport (or the smart card therein) is powered bythe power wirelessly transmitted from the terminal module, as theelectronic passport leaves the power range of the terminal module, thesupply voltage reduces and eventually shuts down, turning off the sensormodule of the electronic passport. Thus, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention, the sensor module of the electronicpassport (smart card) is automatically initialized in response to apredetermined level of an increasing supply voltage after the supplyvoltage was shut down. The initialization is typically done byinitializing the processor unit of the smart card. If the processor unitincludes an authentication CPU and a dual mode interface circuit, forexample, the authentication CPU may be initialized using the thresholdvoltage of the increasing supply voltage, and then the dual modeinterface circuit may be initialized using a reset signal supplied fromthe authentication CPU.

FIG. 20 schematically illustrates a method for authenticating a personholding a smart card, or an electronic passport embedded with the smartcard, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Thesmart card includes a sensor module provided on a substrate of the smartcard, which includes a biometric sensor, a processor unit, and a memory.The smart cared or the electronic passport may be any one of the smartcards and electronic passport described above. First, a power signal isreceived via a wireless transceiver module provided on the substrate(210). This may be such a situation the smart card or passport is placedon a terminal module providing the power signal. At least one supplyvoltage is generated from the power signal, and the supply voltage isprovided to the sensor module (212) so as to power up and enable thesensor module to operate. Optionally, initialization of the sensormodule may be performed during the power up period (214). Then,biometric information is detected from the person's body (216), usingthe biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor, image sensor, or thelike, as described above. The detected biometric information is comparedwith biometric information stored in the memory (218), and anauthentication signal representing a result of the comparing isgenerated (220). The result of the authentication or comparison isoptionally indicated using an indicator provided on the smart card(222). The authentication signal is then optionally encrypted (224) andtransmitted via the wireless transceiver module (226).

While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure that many more modifications than mentionedabove are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein.The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spiritof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A smart card for authenticating a person holdingthe smart card, the smart card comprising: a substrate; a sensor moduleprovided on the substrate, the sensor module including: a biometricsensor that detects biometric information from the person's body andcoincidentally confirms whether the person holding the smart card isalive; a processor unit that is coupled to the biometric sensor andauthenticates the person in response to the detected biometricinformation and coincidentally confirming the person holding the smartcard is alive, generates an authentication signal representing anauthentication result, and encrypts the authentication signal; and amemory that is coupled to the processor unit and stores biometricinformation of a specific individual associated with the smart card; awireless transceiver module coupled to the processor unit, the wirelesstransceiver module comprising: a signal antenna that is coupled to theprocessor unit and wirelessly transmits the encrypted authenticationsignal received from the processor unit; and a power antenna that iscoupled to a power circuit and receives a wirelessly-transmitted powersignal; and the power circuit that is provided on the substrate andgenerates at least one supply voltage from the received power signal andprovides the supply voltage to the sensor module.
 2. The smart card ofclaim 1, wherein the memory includes: a random access memory (RAM); anda one-time programmable read only memory (PROM).
 3. The smart card ofclaim 2, wherein the one-time PROM comprises at least one of an erasableand programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable andprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a flash memory, wherein arewritable function of the PROM is disabled.
 4. The smart card of claim1, the power circuit includes: a rectifier coupled to the power antenna;and a regulator coupled to the rectifier.
 5. The smart card of claim 1,wherein the wireless transceiver module includes a plurality of powerantennas, and wherein the power circuit includes a plurality ofregulator circuits, each of the regulator circuits coupled to acorresponding one of the plurality of power antennas.
 6. The smart cardof claim 5, wherein the, plurality of power antennas are formed as anetched or printed pattern on a plastic or paper material.
 7. The smartcard of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver module is capable oftransmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, ultrasonic waves,optical waves or infrared waves.
 8. The smart card of claim 1, whereinthe biometric sensor includes a fingerprint sensor adapted to detectfingerprint patterns.
 9. The smart card of claim 8, wherein thefingerprint sensor is adapted to read the surface profile of a finger.10. The smart card of claim 9, wherein the fingerprint sensor is adaptedto measure the surface profile of finger mechanically, the fingerprintsensor including one of: a pressure sensing cell array or scanner; amicro electro mechanical (MEM) array or scanner; a mechanical stressarray or scanner; a distance measuring cell array or scanner; anelasticity measuring array or scanner; and a micro switch array orscanner.
 11. The smart card of claim 9, wherein the fingerprint sensoris adapted to measure a temperature profile of a skin of a finger. 12.The smart card of claim 11, wherein the fingerprint sensor includes aninfrared detector array or scanner.
 13. The smart card of claim 9,wherein the fingerprint sensor includes a thinned silicon substrateadapted to detect and digitize fingerprint patterns.
 14. The smart cardof claim 13, wherein the thinned silicon substrate has a thickness lessthan about 200 microns.
 15. The smart card of claim 14, wherein thethinned silicon substrate is backed up with a mechanical stiffener thatincludes a hard polymer.
 16. The smart card of claim 8, wherein thebiometric information to be stored in the memory includes fingerprinttemplates of the specific individual.
 17. The smart card of claim 1,wherein the smart card is flexible.
 18. The smart card of claim 17,wherein the biometric sensor comprising a polymer material as aninsulator, a substrate, or both.
 19. The smart card of claim 1, whereinthe biometric sensor includes a genetic information detector adapted todetect a genetic information of the person.
 20. The smart card of claim1, wherein the biometric sensor includes an image capture device. 21.The smart card of claim 1, wherein said biosensor is adapted to senseone or more of an oxygen level, a carbon dioxide level, a temperature, amoisture level, an infrared reading, a voice, a brainwave, anelectrocardiogram reading, an electromagnetic field, an enzyme level,and/or Chi.
 22. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the biosensorincludes at least one of: an elasticity sensor adapted to detectelasticity of a member in contact therewith; and a blood flow sensoradapted to detect a blood flow in a body part in contact therewith. 23.The smart card of claim 1, wherein the biosensor includes a bio-responsedetector adapted to capture a reflex response of the person to a givenstimulus.
 24. The smart card of claim 23, wherein the reflex responseincludes a change in an iris aperture in response to light intensityilluminated thereon.
 25. The smart card of claim 24, wherein thebiosensor includes: an image sensor adapted to capture an image of theiris; and a light emitter adapted to illuminate an eye of the person.26. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the sensor module furtherincludes an indicator coupled to the processor unit and adapted toindicate the authentication result.
 27. The smart card of claim 1,wherein the sensor module further includes a control interface coupledto the processor unit and adapted to receive an external control signaland configure the processor unit.
 28. The smart card of claim 27,wherein the control interface's connections to the external controlsignal are disabled after an initial configuration of the processorunit.
 29. The smart card of claim 28, wherein the control interface'sconnections to the external control signal are permanently disabled by aphysical disconnection after the initial configuration.
 30. The smartcard of claim 28, wherein the initial configuration includes writing thebiometric information of the specific individual to the memory.
 31. Thesmart card of claim 1, wherein the processor unit includes an encryptioncircuit adapted to encrypt signals generated by the processor unit. 32.The smart card of claim 1, wherein the processor unit includes anauthentication circuit adapted to compare the detected biometricinformation with the biometric information stored in the memory, andadapted to generate the authentication signal.
 33. The smart card ofclaim 32, wherein the authentication circuit is implemented using one ormore of hardware, software, and firmware.
 34. The smart card of claim32, wherein the memory is further adapted to store personal informationof the specific individual.
 35. The smart card of claim 34, wherein thepersonal information includes at least one of: personal identificationinformation; and personal information related to a purpose or usage ofthe smart card.
 36. The smart card of claim 34, wherein the processorunit further includes a retrieval circuit adapted to retrieve the storedpersonal information from the memory if the detected biometricinformation is determined to match the stored biometric information. 37.The smart card of claim 36, wherein the processor unit further generatesa personal information signal representing the personal information ofthe specific individual, the personal information signal beingtransmitted via the wireless transceiver module.
 38. The smart card ofclaim 32, wherein the processor unit further includes an interfacecircuit coupled to the authentication circuit, the interface circuitadapted to convert a signal received from authentication unit into asignal suitable for wireless transmission.
 39. The smart card of claim1, wherein the smart card is adapted to be embedded in a passport. 40.The smart card of claim 1, wherein the smart card is a card-typeelectronic passport.
 41. The smart card of claim 40, further comprisinga card surface layer provided on the substrate, the biometric sensorbeing visibly arranged on the card surface layer, the card surface layercontaining desired information related to the passport.
 42. The smartcard of claim 1, further comprising a display provided on the substrate,the display coupled to the processor unit, the display adapted todisplay a photographic image including the specific individual's face ifthe person is authenticated.
 43. The smart card of claim 42, wherein thedisplay is further adapted to display a signature of the specificindividual if the person is authenticated.
 44. The smart card of claim42, wherein the display is activated by the authentication signalrepresenting a positive result.
 45. The smart card of claim 1, whereinthe processor unit comprises an authentication circuit and an interfacecircuit, the authentication circuit configured to generate theauthentication signal that represents the authentication result, thedual mode interface circuit being adapted to receive the authenticationresult and wirelessly transmit the authentication result.
 46. The smartcard of claim 1, wherein the processor unit comprises an authenticationcircuit and an interface circuit, the authentication circuit includingan encryption circuit configured to encrypt the authentication signalfor provision to the interface circuit.
 47. The smart card of claim 1,wherein the processor unit comprises an authentication circuit and aninterface circuit, the interface being configured to receive anencrypted signal, representing a first encrypted version of theauthentication result, from the authentication circuit, decrypt theencrypted signal, and provide a second encrypted version of theauthentication result for wireless transmission.
 48. The smart card ofclaim 1, wherein the processor includes a first processor and a secondprocessor, the first processor configured to receive detected biometricinformation and encrypt the detected biometric information, the secondprocessor configured to receive the encrypted biometric information,decrypt the encrypted biometric information, and generate theauthentication signal representing the authentication result.
 49. Thesmart card of claim 1, wherein the processor unit includes a firstprocessor configured to extract data from the detected biometricinformation and provide an encrypted form of the extracted data for asecond processor that is configured to transmit a representation of theextracted data.
 50. A method for authenticating a person holding a smartcard, the smart card including a sensor module provided on a substrateof the smart card, the sensor module including a biometric sensor, aprocessor unit, and a memory, the method comprising: receiving a powersignal via a power antenna of a wireless transceiver module provided onthe substrate; generating at least one supply voltage from the powersignal and supplying the supply voltage to the sensor module; detecting,using the biometric sensor, biometric information from the person'sbody; comparing the detected biometric information and biometricinformation stored in the memory; confirming, using the biometric sensorand coincidentally with the detecting, that the person holding the smartcard is alive; generating an authentication signal representing a resultof the comparing and that the person holding the smart card is confirmedto be alive; encrypting the authentication signal; and transmitting,wirelessly, the encrypted authentication signal via a signal antenna ofthe wireless transceiver module.
 51. The method of claim 50, wherein thesensor module further includes an indicator, the method furthercomprising indicating the result of the comparing by the indicator. 52.The method of claim 51, wherein the indicating includes indicating theresult using at least one light emitting diode (LED) or a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD).
 53. The method of claim 50, wherein the detectingincludes detecting fingerprint patterns of the person.
 54. The method ofclaim 53, wherein the comparing includes comparing the fingerprintpatterns with fingerprint templates stored in the memory.
 55. The methodof claim 50, wherein the detecting includes capturing an image of theperson, wherein the image includes at least one of a face, an ear, aniris, and a retina.
 56. The method of claim 50, wherein the detectingincludes detecting at least one of oxygen, carbon dioxide, atemperature, moisture, and an infrared radiation.
 57. The method ofclaim 50, wherein the detecting includes at least one of: detectingelasticity of a member in contact with the biosensor; detecting a bloodflow in a body part in contact with the biosensor.
 58. The method ofclaim 50, wherein the detecting includes capturing a reflex response ofthe person to a given stimulus.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein thereflex response includes a change in an iris aperture in response tolight intensity illuminated thereon.
 60. The method of claim 59, furthercomprising illuminating an eye of the person.
 61. The method of claim50, further comprising: supplying an external control signal via acontrol interface so as to configure the sensor module; supplying, viathe control interface, biometric information of a specific individualassociated with the smart card, and storing the biometric information inthe memory; and disabling connections to the control interface after thesupplying the external control and the storing the biometric informationin the memory.
 62. The method of claim 61, wherein the disablingincludes physically disconnecting external access to the controlinterface.
 63. The method of claim 61, further comprising storing in thememory personal information of the specific individual.
 64. The methodof claim 63, wherein the personal information includes at least one of:personal identification information; and personal information related toa purpose or usage of the smart card.
 65. The method of claim 63,further comprising: retrieving the stored personal information from thememory if the detected biometric information is determined to match thebiometric information template; generating a personal information signalrepresenting the retrieved personal information; and transmitting thepersonal information signal via the wireless transceiver module.
 66. Themethod of claim 50, wherein the smart card is embedded in a passport,and the specific individual associated with the smart card is a personto which the passport is issued.
 67. The method of claim 50, furthercomprising initializing the sensor module in response to a predeterminedlevel of an increasing supply voltage after the supply voltage was shutdown.
 68. The method of claim 50, wherein encrypting the authenticationsignal comprises: converting the authentication signal into atransmission signal for wireless transmission; and encrypting thetransmission signal.
 69. An apparatus for authenticating a personholding a passport, the apparatus comprising: means for storingbiometric information of a specific individual associated with thepassport; means for detecting biometric information from the person'sbody and coincidentally confirming whether the person is alive; meansfor authenticating the person in response to the detected biometricinformation and coincidentally confirming the person holding the smartcard is alive, for generating an authentication signal representing anauthentication result, and for encrypting the authentication signal;means for wirelessly transmitting signals received from the means forauthenticating, the means being configured to transmit the encryptedauthentication signal; means for receiving a wirelessly-transmittedpower signal; and means for generating from the received power signal asupply voltage sufficient to power the means for detecting, the meansfor authenticating, and the means for wirelessly transmitting.
 70. Theapparatus of claim 69, wherein the means for authenticating includesmeans for comparing the detected biometric information with the storedbiometric information.
 71. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the sensormodule further includes means for indicating the authentication result.72. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the means for detecting includesmeans for detecting fingerprint patterns of the person.
 73. Theapparatus of claim 72, wherein the means for authenticating includesmeans for comparing the fingerprint patterns with fingerprint templatesstored in the means for storing.
 74. The apparatus of claim 69, whereinthe means for detecting includes means for capturing an image of theperson, wherein the image includes at least one of a face, an ear, aniris, and a retina.
 75. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the means fordetecting if the person is alive includes at least one of: means fordetecting oxygen; means for detecting carbon dioxide; means fordetecting a temperature; means for detecting moisture; and means fordetecting an infrared radiation.
 76. The apparatus of claim 69, furthercomprising: means for supplying an external control signal via a controlinterface so as to configure the sensor module; means for supplying, viathe control interface, biometric information of a specific individualassociated with the smart card, and for writing the biometricinformation in the means for storing; and means for disablingconnections to the control interface after supplying the externalcontrol and writing the biometric information.
 77. The apparatus ofclaim 69, further comprising means for storing personal information ofthe specific individual.
 78. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein thepersonal information includes at least one of: personal identificationinformation; and personal information related to a purpose or usage ofthe smart card.
 79. The apparatus of claim 77, further comprising: meansfor retrieving the stored personal information if the detected biometricinformation is determined to match the biometric information template;and means for generating a personal information signal representing theretrieved personal information, the personal information signal beingtransmitted via the means for wirelessly transmitting.
 80. A system forauthenticating a person holding a passport, the system comprising: asmart card embedded in the passport, the smart card including: asubstrate; a sensor module provided on the substrate, the sensor moduleincluding a biometric sensor that detects biometric information from theperson's body and coincidentally confirms whether the person holding thesmart card is alive; a processor unit that is coupled to the biometricsensor and authenticates the person in response to the detectedbiometric information and coincidentally confirming the person holdingthe smart card is alive, generates an authentication signal representingan authentication result, and encrypts the authentication signal; amemory that is coupled to the processor unit and stores biometricinformation of a specific individual associated with the smart card; awireless transceiver module that is coupled to the processor unit andhas: a signal antenna that is coupled to the processor unit andwirelessly transmits the encrypted authentication signal; and a powerantenna that is coupled to a power circuit and receives awirelessly-transmitted power signal; and the power circuit provided thatis on the substrate and generates a supply voltage from the receivedpower signal and provides a supply voltage to the sensor module; and aterminal module, including an antenna that transmits a power signal tothe smart card and receives a signal transmitted from the wirelesstransceiver module of the smart card.
 81. The system of claim 80,wherein the signal antenna is placed on a proximity position on a loopor trace of the antenna of the terminal module when the smart card isplaced on the terminal module.
 82. The system of claim 80, wherein theprocessor unit comprises an authentication circuit and an interfacecircuit, the authentication circuit configured to generate theauthentication signal that represents the authentication result, thedual mode interface circuit being adapted to receive the authenticationresult and wirelessly transmit the authentication result.
 83. The systemof claim 80, wherein the processor unit comprises an authenticationcircuit and an interface circuit, the authentication circuit includingan encryption circuit configured to encrypt the authentication signalfor provision to the interface circuit.
 84. The system of claim 80,wherein the processor unit comprises an authentication circuit and aninterface circuit, the interface being configured to receive anencrypted signal, representing an encrypted version of theauthentication result, from the authentication circuit, decrypt theencrypted signal, and provide an encrypted version of the authenticationresult for wireless transmission.
 85. The system of claim 80, whereinthe processor includes a first processor and a second processor, thefirst processor configured to receive detected biometric information andencrypt the detected biometric information, the second processorconfigured to receive the encrypted biometric information, decrypt theencrypted biometric information, and generate the authentication signalrepresenting the authentication result.
 86. The system of claim 80,wherein the processor unit includes a first processor configured toextract data from the detected biometric information and provide anencrypted form of the extracted data for a second processor that isconfigured to transmit a representation of the extracted data.